By: Lindsay Tague, Reporter
OMAHA, Neb. – In 1977, Darwin, better known as “Tony,” Snyder created the Nebraska Wind Symphony, a community concert band based out of Omaha.
Dale Irvin is the current president of the NWS Board of Directors; he says Snyder had recognized community musicians wanting a place to play their instrument after finishing their respective programs in school.
Irvin says when it comes to joining the symphony, there isn’t much required, having a career in music is not neccessary to join. However, there is an audition process that perspective members must endure.
Brian Lund is a trombonist and former board president for the Nebraska Wind Symphony. Lund worked as a computer programmer and systems analyst for 38 years. He says joining the symphony was a chance to keep his musical abilities active.
“I was still actively playing my horn and I thought hey, there’s another great opportunity,” says Lund.
The Nebraska Wind Symphony also offers two different scholarships to students that plan on following the music career path.
Lund says there have been close to 600 people that have played in the symphony over the 46 years it’s been in operation.
The NWS is holding their Spring Concert at the Strauss Performing Arts Center, located on UNO campus, on April 16, 2023, at 7:30p.m. They will be honoring Tony Snyder, the group’s founder, who passed away earlier this year.
